Tributes to ‘beautiful girl’ who died in road accident

11 July 2018

THE 26-year-old Killyleagh woman who died in a car accident near Killinchy last week has been described as “a beautiful girl inside and out”.

Tributes were paid to Rebecca Blackwood who was driving a Toyota Yaris when it crashed on the Killyleagh Road at 12.30am last Wednesday. Police said that no other car was involved.

Known as Reba to family and friends, Ms Blackwood’s funeral service will take today at Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast. She is survived by her mother, Rosemary.

A Facebook tribute from the Down Community faith organisation said it was privileged to have had Ms Blackwood as part of their community.

It said: “We are all completely shocked and heartbroken to hear of the sudden death of Reba Blackwood. Such a lovely, friendly, kind and intelligent young lady.”

A friend posted about her death, saying it was an “absolute tragedy, she was a beautiful girl inside and out.

“She has family in Scotland who are reeling from the shock of the news. I don’t have the words to express my sadness.”

Strangford MLA Peter Weir said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear of Ms Blackwood’s death and that it was “a brutal reminder of the danger of our roads throughout the year”.

The DUP man added: “Sadly there have been further road deaths since Reba’s. The sad reality is that no-one is safe on the roads, even in the summer when road conditions are thought less treacherous, and particularly at night.

“No-one wants to see families go through the pain and anguish that the Blackwood family are currently suffering.

“I urge everyone to be vigilant on the roads and spare other families this heartache.”

Part of the Killyleagh Road — between Ardview Road and Thornyhill Road — was closed for an hour on Friday morning to allow police to conduct further investigations.

Witnesses to the tragic incident are asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 56 of 04/07/18.

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